Swimming device



N. P. JOHNSTON.

SWIMMING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED ocr. 13, 1919.

Patented Mar. 30, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

abto'nnma N. P. JOHNSTON.

SWIMMING DEVICE.

APPLI-CATION FILED on. 13, 1919.

1,335,687. Patented Mar. 30, 1920.

2 SHEETS*-SHEET 2.

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NELSON P. JOHNSTON, 0F ANDERSON, INDIANA.

SWIMMING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, NELSON P. J oHNs'roN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Anderson in the county of Madison and State'of lndiana, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Swimming Devices, of which the following is'a specification.

This invention has reference to a combined swimming and life saving device.

The object of the invention is to produce a device of this character which may be readily attached to the person of the user, the same being of-a buoyant nature whereby to assist in retaining the user on the surface of the water and being provided with propellers actuated by the movement of the feet of the user whereby a person may be propelled through the water without danger of drowning.

A further object of-the invention is to produce aswimming and life saving device comprising a flat body having its center formed with a keel and provided with Ineanswhereby theflat body may be readily strapped on the trunk of the user, the device, upon the under face thereof having longitudinally movable propellers designed to be operated-by movement ofthe feet of the user, the said propellers, when projected in a forward direction being auto *matically folded so as'to ofier small resist ance to the water, but whenpropelled in a rearward direction, the same will open and offer a great resistance to the water so that the user may, with comparatively small effort make rapid progress "through the water,the device being of a buoyant nature to insure the non-sinking thereof and through the medium of its keel beinginsured against tilting regardless of the roughness of the water in which the same is used.

A further object of the invention is to produce a device of this character which shall be of an extremely simple construction, cheap to manufacture, which may be easily and quickly applied to the person of the user and as readily detached, and which will perform the functions for which it is devised with accuracy and with certainty.

Other objects and advantages will present themselves as the nature of the invention is better understood, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Specification of Letters Patent; Patented Mar. 3%, 1929.

, grooved wheel or sheave 16 that Application filed October 13, 1919. Serial No.'330,180.

Figure 1 is a view illustrating the application of the improvement.

' Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of'the improvement.

'Fig.-3 is a sectional view approximately on the line '3-3 of Fig. 2.

'Fig. 4 is a-detail sectional view through one of the propellers, showing the manner in which the same automatically opens when olferingresistance to the water and automatically closing when subjectto the resistance of. the water.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view approximately onthe line 55 of Fig. 3.

The improvement contemplates the einploynient of aflat body member 10, substantially-rectangular in shape and of a buoyant nature. If desired, the body may have secured-to its edges inflated bags or sacks 11 to add to the buoyancy thereof. On the outer or upper face of the body 10 are se-' cured straps l2 which'have their ends adjustably' connected as indicated by the numerals 13 and these'straps are designed to be'arranged around the body of the user to secure the improvement thereon. trally-secured to the outer or lower face'of the body 10, of a length equaling that of the'body, and arranged at a right angle with respectto'the body'isa keellc. The keel is preferably in the nature 0f a fiat board' The keel, at the transverse opennature. The posts are of a comparatively short length, and therefore are of a com paratlvely small weight. The posts have by the numeral Genarranged thereon grooved or sheave wheels 19, and around these wheels 19 and around the sheave wheel 16 is trained a cable 20. This cable has its ends disposed a considerable distance outward of the rear end of the body 10, and on the ends of the said cable are secured stirrup members 2121.

Secured on the parallel end strands of the cable, a suitable and desired distance inward of the stirrups 21 are propellers 2222. Each of these propellers. includes a body member 24 that is secured directly to the strands of the cable, and hingedly connected to the opposite sides of the body at the ends thereof nearest the stirrups arewings 2 and 25 arranged in opposite pairs. On the body 23 are suitable stop members 26 to limit the outward swinging of the wings 24 and, 25.v

The device is strapped on the body of a person who is either in danger of drowning or who is not an expert swimmer and desires to enter'deep water. The feet of the user are arranged in the stirrups 21. The device being arranged upon the trunk of the user does not interferewith thefree use of his arms or legs, andconsequently his arms may be emfployed for guiding and his feet employed or propelling. By moving vhis feet forward and backward, after being arranged in the water the propellers 22 will.

be reciprocated longitudinally. A forward movement of the propellers. incident to the contact thereof with the body of water in which the device is arranged, will cause the same to swing together or to close, but a rearward movement of the propellers will cause the wings to open, thus permitting the said wings contacting with the water to ofcup ing much space.

fer a determined resistance thereto, permits of the device being rapidly propelled through the body of water. The keel insures'the device against tilting so that the same may be used with perfect safety in rough waters. The air bags, while not an absolutenecessity, materially aid in buoying the body. The improvement is compar a buoyant body having means for attaching the same to the trunk of a person, a keel centrally arranged on said body, a cable arranged in guides on the under face of the body, stirrups on the ends of the cable, and propellers on the longitudinal strands of the cable.

r 2. Ina device for the purpose set forth, a

buoyant bodyhaving means for attaching the same to the trunk of a person, a keel centrally arranged on said body, a cable arranged in guides on the under face of the body, stirrups on the ends of the cable, and collapsible propellers on the longitudinal strands of the cable. I

3. In a device for the purpose set forth, a buoyant body having means for attaching the same to the trunk of a person, a keel centrally arranged on said body, a cable arranged in guides on the under face of the body, stirrups on theends of the cable, propellers on the longitudinal strands of the cables, each of said propellers including a flat body having fiat wings hingedly connected to the ends thereof, and means between the body and wings for limiting the outward swinging of the wings with respect to the body. I

4:. In a device for the purpose set forth, a buoyant body member, detachable air bags on the ed es thereof, a depending keel on, the outer ace at the center of the body, depending posts adjacent to the sides and inward of the outer edge of the body, sheave wheels on the posts, the keel at the outer end thereof having an opening therethrough, a sheave wheel therein, a cable guided around said sheave wheels, stirrups on the ends of the cable, propellers on the longitudinal strands of the cable, and each of said pro pellers including hinged wings designed to be brought to an open position when the,

cables are moved outward of the body and to be closed when the cableis moved inwardly of the body, and means for limiting the outward movement of said wings. r

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

- NELSON P. JOHNSTON. 

